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Annotated Titles

Arctic Adventures: Tales from the Lives of Inuit Artists
Raquel Rivera
Illustrations: Jirina Marton
Toronto: Groundwood Books/House Of Anansi Press, 2007. 48 p.
ISBN 0888997140
Ages 8 and up

This book presents an interesting combination of stories and biographies about four Inuit artists. The stories are inspired by events from the artists' childhoods. Author Raquel Rivera travelled to Baffin Island to interview sculptor Lazarusie Ishulutak; there she met descendants of Pudlo Pudlat, Jessie Onark and Kenojuak Ashevak. She heard that young Pudlo was scolded by his mother: "Don't carve up the wall!" as he drew inside the family's igloo.

The book provides a real understanding of the land, of hunting and of life in the Arctic region.

Each story is illustrated by Jirina Marton whose northern landscapes are imbued with haunting qualities and inhabited by mythical creatures. A glossary, map and reading list are also provided.

-JP

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